NS workers rally against anti-labour Liberals

Unifor members joined workers from several Nova Scotia unions Saturday at a march to send a message to premier Stephen McNeil and his anti-labour Liberals.

“Life in Nova Scotia with Stephen McNeil and the Liberals is no picnic and he’s not just anti-worker, he is anti-women,” said Jessica Dauphinee, an LPN who works in long term care and is a member at large on Unifor’s Atlantic Regional Council.

McNeil's anti-worker legislation, including Bill 148, the Public Services Sustainability Act, targets women workers most and many of them earn between $15 and $17 an hour.

Dauphinee and many others chanted “Steve McNeil has got to go” outside the Liberal party’s annual general meeting at the Westin Hotel in Halifax where Liberal party insiders enjoyed a catered lunch.

“Can you hear us Steve?” shouted workers on a loud speaker, reminding the premier that he has a slim majority and workers are not going to tolerate what has been a constant attack on their rights since the Liberals took office in 2013.

Unifor has joined other unions in fighting several pieces of anti-worker legislation.

McNeil’s government is freezing wages of working people in a province where 120,000 Nova Scotians do not have a family doctor, students can’t afford post-secondary education, emergency rooms are closing, and classrooms are overcrowded.

While nursing home residents are fed lower food quality and have seen massive cuts to long term care, McNeil will be speaking at a $300 dollar a plate dinner Saturday evening followed by a “back to back majority party.”

”McNeil and the Liberals congratulate themselves and wine and dine their wealthy donors, while our hard working members are treated like second class citizens,” said Lana Payne, Unifor Atlantic Regional Director.

“Enjoy your dinner Stephen!“ shouted workers who believe the premier is out of touch with most hard working Nova Scotians.

McNeil’s weekend agenda also includes a “cash for access” reception open only to supporters who pay $750 dollars to meet McNeil and his cabinet.